Best Online Medical Billing and Coding Schools in 2018

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the demand for qualified health information management and technology workers is on the rise. That’s why we’ve created this list of the best online medical billing and coding schools in 2018.

By 2024, the job market for medical assistants and medical coders are expected to rise by as much as 15%, which is much faster than the national average. The median pay in this field is $17.84 an hour, and the median annual salary is $37,110. Individuals in this field are important to medical companies because of their ability to review medical documents and translate them into standardized codes in order to bill patients and reimburse insurance companies.

To earn a job in this rising industry, it is required to earn either a certificate or an associate degree program diploma in a medical coding and billing program. Many schools across the country offer these programs online, making it possible to get an education from the convenience of your home in order to start a new career.

Whether you’re looking to get a bachelor degree or a code certification, whether you’re looking to become a health information technician or a medical billing specialist, working in a medical office can bring you the fulfillment you’ve been seeking in life. To help you out, here we’ve compiled a list of the best online Medical Billing and Coding schools of 2018:

1. Davenport University

Davenport University focuses on helping their students develop the skills and knowledge necessary to take the CPC certification exam and earn an entry-level position in the field of medical coding and billing. The course takes 80 credits to complete, the amount required by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). Davenport University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and has a solid curriculum to ensure students are prepared to get a job as a medical coder after they earn their degree. Their course curriculum will help students to understand the importance of coding, explain and determine levels of E/M services, and understand and explain the official ICD-10-CM coding principles.

Davenport students are able to work with the latest technology and software designed for accessing, managing, and storing medical records and healthcare information. This experience helps students acquire much-needed hands-on training in the field of health care and code training. A unique aspect of Davenport is that it allows its students to participate in the Health Information Technology program at any of their campus locations as a complement to their online studies. However, Davenport’s medical billing and coding program can be completed entirely online.

Tuition Per Credit: $450-$707

2. Moraine Park Technical College

One of the best and one of the oldest medical coding and billing programs found online is at Moraine Park. The school has been around for more than 100 years and over 90% of their students find a job in the field within six months of graduation, which is something they take pride in. Many of its students are also active in the military, and the school was an early adopter of distance learning technologies, providing online classes for over two decades. The university allows for students to earn their Medical Coding Specialist Technical Diploma completely online and in less than a year. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to review medical documents and translate them into codes, access, manage, and store medical records, and be prepared to take the Clinical Coding Associate (CCA) and Clinical Coding Specialist (CCS) assessment tests in order to receive national credentials. The curriculum at Moraine Park includes classes on health records, human diseases, human anatomy, and health data management.

Tuition Per Credit: $130-$372

3. Ultimate Medical Academy

The Ultimate Medical Academy offers online options for both diploma programs as well as an associate’s degree in medical billing and coding. Diploma programs run between 42 to 52 weeks while the associate degree program runs for 74 weeks. UMA is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools and is also a member of the Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities, as well as the National Healthcare Association. The curriculum at UMA includes classes on accounting, anatomy and disease, billing and coding, and interpersonal professional communications.

Tuition Per Credit: about $680

4. Labouré College

Another incredible college providing a medical coding certification is Labouré College. Labouré is very aware of the impressive growth of the medical billing field and the increased need for capable professionals. In that context, the program from this college allows students to prepare for certification exams within just three semesters with courses in things like coding, healthcare delivery, health information management and technology, and advanced coding. Labouré’s entire focus is on nursing and healthcare career programs. The school caters not only to traditional full-time students but also part-time and remotely-located students who are still seeking a high-quality education.

Tuition Per Credit: about $485

5. Minnesota West Community and Technical College

In just a year, a student can earn a Medical Coding Specialist diploma completely online from MWCTC. The program is 34 credits and broken up into 3 semesters. Students take 12 credits the first semester, 15 credits the second semester, and 7 credits the third semester. MWCTC recommends that students have prior experience or knowledge of the basic elements of word processing, spreadsheets, database and document integration, telecommunications and the internet. Their curriculum includes classes on medical insurance and reimbursement, microcomputers, disease conditions, and coding.

Even though it’s recommended for students to have prior knowledge of spreadsheets, databases, and word processing software, there are options for students that have difficulties in these areas. For example, there are program courses such as “Introduction to Microcomputers” which can help them learn these skills quickly and efficiently. MWCTC also offers a free, non-credit course called “Intro to Online Learning” to help students get acquainted with the online learning system and see if it’s the right fit. The college is also designated as a “military friendly school.”

Tuition Per Credit: $184.03

5. South Hills School of Business and Technology

For anyone looking for a top-level medical billing and coding education, South Hills School of Business and Technology is a perfect option. The accredited two-year associate degree in Health Information Technology provides students with the priceless experience of hands-on training, code training, keeping vital electronic health records, and healthcare quality improvement. This school is a leader in business and technology education for the health care field. South Hills even offers the opportunity for drone-flying instruction and drone-racing. Also, the specific Health Information Technology degree provides students not only with an invaluable education but an increased capacity for being leaders in their workplace and innovators in the industry.

Tuition Per Credit: $687.50

6. University of Alaska Anchorage

As one of the largest premier universities in the state, attending the University of Alaska Anchorage is a tremendous option for anyone interested in pursuing a career in medical billing and coding. UAA’s Medical Assisting degree provides a well-rounded education in all aspects of medical assisting, which obviously includes top-level courses on medical coding, medical billing, medical transcription, and clinical procedures amongst others. Alaska’s largest university offers a number of attractive online programs created to help students maximize their education en route to fulfilling careers while studying at any location across the country.

Tuition Per Credit: $616.50

7. Northwest Technical College

Founded in the 1960’s with only a carpentry and automotive mechanics program, Northwest Technical College has grown to offer 32 fields of study in seven different career paths. The college offers three different options for earning an education in medical coding. They offer a medical coding certificate program which can be completed in 26 credits, a medical coding diploma which can be completed in 42 credits, and a medical coding Associates of Applied Science (AAS) degree in 60 credits. Regardless of which track a student completes, all three options are comprehensive programs that cover topics such as diagnosis and procedural coding and patient account management.

The degree program requires students to complete an internship, which gives students hands-on experience before starting their careers. The college is also partnered with Bemidji State University and provides on-campus opportunities with a true college experience such as health services, dining and fitness facilities, and on-campus housing. Before enrollment, students must take an Accuplacer assessment to determine if the student must take additional math or writing courses.

Tuition Per Credit: $206-$304

8. Alexandria Technical and Community College

In just 5 semesters, a student can earn their diploma in medical coding at Alexandria Technical and Community College, as well as an internship. As part of the program, they offer classes on human anatomy and medical reimbursement, as well as job seeking/keeping skills. The program is comprised of 45 credits total. The first year, students learn foundational knowledge and skills, including entry-level coursework in pharmacology, medical reception, pathology, and anatomy and physiology. Second-year students learn about CPT code, ICD coding, medical law and ethics, and other specialized areas of the job. At the end of the program, students are required to complete a two-credit internship, which usually happens in the summer semester; this helps students get much-needed hands-on experience. Besides the internship course, every other part of the program is available completely online. They offer a $200 scholarship to students who keep a 3.0 GPA or higher.

Tuition Per Credit: $199

9. Dakota College at Bottineau

As one of the best medical coding and billing schools online, Dakota College at Bottineau gives students the opportunity to finish their medical and coding program in just one year. Each course lasts about 8 weeks and can be completed entirely online. However, students should check the authorization status of the state they live in because the university is unable to offer online courses in 14 states.

Tuition Per Credit: $144.54

10. Drexel University

The Medical Billing and Coding certificate program at Drexel University is only 6 classes long and can be taken in less than a year completely online. Because of this, the program is only a part-time program. The purpose of the program is to prepare students to take three different credentialing exams, which are the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS), and the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exams.

Tuition Per Credit: $1,116

11. Weber State University

Weber State University offers a certificate in Healthcare Coding & Classification that can be earned online. The program is completed in 27 credits and students are required to earn a grade of “C” or higher. When the program is completed and the certificate is earned, students will be prepared to take the Certified Coding Association (CCA) credentialing exam.

Tuition Per Credit: about $200

12. Cowley County Community College

An associate of applied science degree in medical coding is just one of the many accredited online programs Cowley County Community College offers. As a vocational community college, Cowley prepares its students for entry-level positions in medical facilities, such as in public health departments and outpatient care centers.

The college’s medical coding program provides students with real-world coding experience by using the same electronic mediums used in the field, making it easier for students to transition into their careers once they graduate. Unlike other medical billing and coding programs, CCCC has instructors that, in addition to boasting three decades of work experience, are available for career consultations even after the students graduate.

Students are required to complete 65 credit hours and complete a coding practicum in addition to a coding exam prep course. Full-time students can expect to finish in four semesters.

Tuition per credit: $267-$579

As you search for different opportunities in your higher education, refer back to our site for guidance in choosing what’s best for you. Many people consider getting a bachelor degree or a code certification in the medical field, and we hope this list has helped you in your search. Whether you would like to become a health information technician or a medical billing specialist, working in a medical office will give you job assurance as the medical field keeps on growing throughout the next decades.

We will continue to update online schools for medical billing and coding. However, we’ll list traditional schools as well to provide both options.

*Our Best Online Medical Billing and Coding Schools in 2018 guide has been updated.